Kadehene Abdicates Stool Over Disputes
Oct 23, 2025
Kadehene Abdicates Stool After 21 Years Amid Prolonged Chieftaincy Dispute
October 23, 2025
The embattled Chief of Kade, Osabarima Agyare Tenadu, has voluntarily abdicated his position after 21 years on the stool, citing his inability to continue amid a protracted chieftaincy dispute that has plagued the traditional area for over a decade.
The announcement was made Wednesday during a meeting with members of the royal family at the Kade Palace, just ahead of an expected court ruling on the long-standing controversy.
Emotional Declaration
In a solemn ceremony attended by royal family members, Osabarima Tenadu performed traditional rites involving a sheep and schnapps as he formally renounced his position.
"Kade Aduana, I tell you, that today is 22nd October, it's been 21 and half years since I was enstooled as chief for Kade. I have this sheep and schnapps, when I finish my pronouncement, pour libation and slaughter the sheep. From today I am still an Aduana, whenever you need help or see me, call me and request for any assistance. But I have abdicated the Kade stool, I am no more the Kade chief," Osabarima Tenadu declared.
The chief's decision to step down voluntarily represents a dramatic development in a chieftaincy dispute that has divided the community and stalled development in the area for years.
Decade-Long Dispute
The Kade stool has been at the center of bitter conflict between Osabarima Tenadu and some kingmakers, with the dispute persisting for over a decade. The prolonged nature of the conflict has taken a toll on the traditional leader, ultimately leading to his decision to relinquish the position.
Chieftaincy disputes in Ghana often involve complex issues of succession, legitimacy, and traditional protocol, with rival factions sometimes maintaining parallel claims for years while cases wind through the courts and traditional authorities.
Rival Installation Underway
Complicating matters further, a rival faction involved in the chieftaincy dispute is reportedly in the process of installing an alternative chief, an action that is currently subject to legal challenge.
The situation creates uncertainty about the immediate future of leadership in Kade, with questions remaining about whether the stool will remain vacant pending resolution of all disputes or if the rival faction's candidate will be formally recognized.
Multiple Authorities to Decide
The final determination of the chieftaincy matter is expected to involve multiple traditional and governmental bodies, including:
- The court system
- The National House of Chiefs
- The Eastern Regional House of Chiefs
- The Abuakwa Traditional Council
Each of these institutions will need to weigh in on the legitimacy of any competing claims and the proper succession process for the Kade stool. The involvement of multiple authorities reflects the complexity and significance of chieftaincy matters in Ghana's traditional governance system.
Impact on Community Development
The abdication highlights the broader challenge that chieftaincy disputes pose to community development and peace in many parts of Ghana, particularly in the Eastern Region where such conflicts are relatively common.
Unresolved chieftaincy disputes often deprive communities of effective traditional leadership, delay development projects, create social divisions, and divert security resources that could be used elsewhere. The situation in Kade exemplifies these challenges, with the protracted conflict preventing the traditional area from realizing its full potential.
Regional Pattern
Pockets of chieftaincy disputes continue to affect numerous communities across the Eastern Region, stretching security resources and undermining national cohesion. Traditional authorities, government officials, and civil society organizations have repeatedly called for more effective mechanisms to resolve such disputes quickly and fairly.
Uncertain Future
As Osabarima Tenadu steps away from the Kade stool after more than two decades, the community faces an uncertain transition period. Whether his abdication will help resolve the underlying disputes or simply create new complications remains to be seen.
The former chief indicated he would remain available to assist the Aduana clan and community members when called upon, suggesting his continued commitment to Kade's welfare despite stepping down from formal leadership.
The coming weeks and months will be crucial as the various traditional and legal authorities work to determine the legitimate succession process and restore stability to the Kade traditional area. Community members and observers will be watching closely to see whether the involved institutions can bring a swift and peaceful resolution to a dispute that has already consumed more than a decade.
